We see advertisements every day claiming that certain cosmetics can replenish collagen and help women fight aging. So, where can we get collagen if we want to supplement it? Today, I will recommend a diet that can help women supplement collagen - Hawthorn Stewed Beef!
【Name】
Hawthorn Stewed Beef
【Ingredients】
Hawthorn, lean beef
【Instructions】
1. Wash the hawthorn, remove the seeds and stems; wash the lean beef, cut into pieces, and blanch in boiling water to remove blood.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan until 70% cooked, stir-fry the green onions and Sichuan pepper powder until fragrant, then add the beef and stir-fry evenly.
3. Finally, add boiling water and hawthorn slices to stew until cooked. Season with salt and chicken essence.
【Nutritional Value】
1. Contains rich calcium, which is easy to absorb by the body.
2. Contains a large amount of iron, and eating beef helps treat iron deficiency anemia.
3. Can effectively reduce blood lipids, strengthen bones, and has anti-aging effects.
【What is Collagen?】
Collagen, although related to the word "gelatin," is not ordinary gelatin. It is a type of protein found in human skin and bones.
This protein itself is not soluble in water and must be unraveled from the three-stranded helix and converted into soluble gelatin to dissolve in water. Gelatin is a long-chain molecule composed of amino acids. However, unlike other proteins, collagen has a high proportion of hydrophilic amino acids, especially two types of amino acids with hydroxyl groups: hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, which are rarely found in other proteins and are the "characteristic" amino acids of collagen.
Because of the many hydroxyl groups, there is a close relationship between gelatin and water. When heated, gelatin molecules disperse in water and form a viscous sol. Under low temperature conditions, gelatin molecules can crosslink into a network structure, trapping water molecules inside. This is the principle of making aspic.
So, if you cook meat soup or chicken soup and find that it turns into jelly when cooled, it means that it contains a lot of gelatin derived from collagen. For example, the skin, claws, hooves, wings, and bones of all animals contain collagen. The soft parts of bones also contain some collagen that can be cooked out.
【Foods that Supplement Collagen】
1. Animal skin, bones, and joints
Generally speaking, collagen can be found in animal skin, claws, or hooves. Therefore, there is a wide range of sources for collagen from animal hides. In addition to common pig trotters and pork skins, there are also beef tendons, chicken feet, chicken wings, chicken skin, fish skin, fish maw, and cartilage, etc. The collagen in fish skin is beneficial to the human body because its composition is similar to that of the human body, making it easier for the body to recognize and absorb.
2. Fish maw
Fish maw is not the same as Sichuan pepper, so don't get confused! Fish maw is actually fish stomach, and it is as famous as bird's nest and fish maw. Its components mainly include high-quality collagen, various vitamins, and trace elements. The protein content alone is as high as 84.2%. It has very high therapeutic effects and is considered a must-have for beauty by women.
3. Tremella
Tremella is a nourishing food with a mild nature and no toxicity. It has always been regarded as a good medicine for longevity. It can enhance the body's immune system and the tolerance of tumor patients to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The plant collagen it contains can also remove skin blemishes and freckles.
